Guide to Local Wine Festivals in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia

Summer is festival time. However, as summer winds down into autumn, wine festivals lure summer festival goers away from the barbecue and tempt them with the finer things in life: namely, wine and cheese. This is harvest time for vineyards, and what better time for wine makers and wineries to unveil their next vintage ready for consumption? Following are the key events happening in the Delmarva area (that's Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia) for summer/fall 2009. These are large scale events that feature multiple producers, not just one winery displaying their wines, nor a restaurant hosting a "wine flight" night. In most cases, admission price is cheaper if you purchase in advance so be sure to plan ahead!

In Delaware, we have the 8th Annual Wine and Music Festival "featuring the sights, sounds and tastes of the Fabulous 50s"on Nov. 13 and 14, 2009. Sadly, there is no additional information regarding this year's event, but last year over 60 wines were available for tasting and general admission price was $25.

Dover Downs 8th Annual Wine and Music Festival
Dover Downs Hotel and Casino
Nov. 13 and 14, 2009
1131 N. DuPont Highway
Dover, Delaware
1-800-711-5882 or 302-674-4600
www.doverdowns.com

The Maryland Wine Festival is hosted by the Carroll County Farm Museum & the Maryland Wineries Association. 30 wineries will be participating. There will be tastings from the wineries, live music, foods from local restaurants, arts and crafts and wine education seminars as well as Governor's Cup Awards announcements each day of the festival. Also, premier tickets are offered that will admit the ticket holder an exclusive area with samples of premium wines not offered at the main festival. The main festival will include craft vendors, entertainment, wine seminars, and an amateur wine competition. Admission price gets you a logo-engraved wine glass, samples of wines, guided tours of the Carroll County Farm Museum, and of period artisan exhibits and demonstrations

The 26th Anniversary Maryland Wine Festival
September 19-20, 2009
Sat 10-6 pm, Sun 12-6 pm
Carroll County Farm Museum
Westminster, Maryland
Tickets $25, designated driver $20, $50 for premier, ages 7-20 for $5, ages under 6 free with paying adult.
http://www.marylandwinefestival.org/

Riverside WineFest at Sotterley takes place at Sotterley Plantation, a National Historic Landmark overlooking the Patuxent River. Over 15 local wineries will offer their wines. There will be artisan crafts and exhibits, an antique sale, music, food, and children's activities.

Riverside WineFest at Sotterley
October 3, 2009 (Sat) - October 4, 2009 (Sun)
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Sotterley Plantation
44300 Sotterley Lane, P.O. Box 67
Hollywood, Maryland
Tickets $20 at gate, and discounts for ages 6-20 and designated drivers. Tours available for extra $5 http://www.sotterley.org/news_events.htm

Even though Eastern's Bayside Blues & Wine Fest will only have six wineries represented, it's in a beautiful location at the Eastern Yacht Club with blues for your musical entertainment. The festival will feature 5 blues bands, food booths from local restaurants, artisan craft tables, and wine offerings from six wineries including Bordeleau Vineyards and Winery, Terrapin Station Winery, St. Michaels Winery, Cygnus Wine Cellars, Basignani Winery and Fiore Winery.Eastern's Bayside Blues & Wine Fest

Eastern's Bayside Blues & Wine Fest
October 10, 2009
12-6 pm
Eastern Yacht Club
2330 Seneca Rd
Essex, Maryland
Tickets $20 (in advance) and $25 (at the door)
http://www.easternsbaysidefestival.com/

The Autumn Wine Festival at Pemberton Historical Park in Salisbury, Maryland is a two day festival produced in conjunction with the Maryland Wineries Association. Besides wine tastings and wine by the glass from 21 Maryland wineries, you can purchase bottles, sample local cuisine, listen to great music ranging from jazz to folk, and stretch out on a picnic blanket to enjoy it all. Tickets include a wine glass, full day admission, all entertainment, parking, and a tour of Pemberton Hall.

Autumn Wine Festival
October 17-18, 2009
11am-8pm Saturday
12:30-6pm Sunday
Pemberton Historical Park
Salisbury, Maryland
$25 at gate, $5 for youths and designated drivers, free for children under age 5
http://www.autumnwinefestival.org/

The Yorktown Wine Festival in historic Yorktown, Virginia is a unique combination of history and sensory pleasure. A beginning ceremony with the Fife and Drums of York Town kicks off this event. The Corps are a historic musical performance group for youths between the ages of 10 and 18 who parade in Regimental uniforms copied from those of the 18^th century Continental Army in Yorktown. After the ceremony, entertainment will continue with Me and Jo, Brian Allard and JJ, and Emily Scalici. The festival is actually two events - first, the general admission Wine Festival and later the Dinner with Your Favorite Winery. Proceeds from the event go to the Fife and Drums of York Town.

Yorktown Wine Festival
October 3, 2009
12PM-6PM for Wine Festival, Dinner at 7:30
Yorktown Riverwalk Landing
Chisciak Green
Yorktown, Virginia
$20 in advance and $25 at door; dinner with you favorite winery is $65 http://www.villageevents.org/yorktown_wine_festival.htm